SO, it has come down to Nightmare on Fir Park, with Motherwell facing ex-boss Stuart McCall and his re-born Rangers Tribute Act in the Premiership play-off final.
The fact that Rangers did the professional job they needed to, to finish off Hibs at Easter Road yesterday has now set-up the scenario which few, with McCall the most-prominent advocate against, wanted.
I tend to believe that these sorts of winner takes all play-offs tend to favour the side looking to come up more than they do the side fighting to stay up. It is not as if there is a huge gap in class between the Scottish Premiership and Championship, so, you might expect the RTA, having hit form at the right time, to hold the aces against a Motherwell side which has struggled all season.
Therefore, for reasons other than the long and mainly successful history of the "Rangers brand", the RTA will start as favourites. I, however, do not think this one is cut and dried. McCall and the hugely-under-rated Kenny Black have began the long job of turning the Rangers Tribute Act into "Rangers". However, that road is far from a straight, flat one; and Motherwell might yet prove to be a major hump to be got over.
I recall, back in the early sixties, being inside Ibrox when an unrated Motherwell side put five past a good Rangers team. Now, Ian Barraclough's men are by no means the "Ancell Babes" who won that night; but, the RTA is an even-longer way from being the beaten Scot Symon team of lang syne.
However, the message for Motherwell is, they can win this one - it will be interesting to see if they can. This one is hard to call, however, I think, tight now, the odds are stacked more on the side of the RTA.
By the way, good to see John Greig back at Ibrox as Honorary Life President of Rangers International FC. But, it will take more than bringing back a legend for the new King of Ibrox to win over the doubters.
Yes, the Bears see King and his court as; "Real Rangers Men", this has and will, in
the short-term, cut them some slack, however, while this recall of Greig was a good popular move, there will be much-more-difficult decisions to be made and King and his court face a testing close season - beginning with perhaps their most-difficult choice: who will the manager be for the start of the new season?
How King handles the short-term issues will go a long way towards establishing is he is the longer-term answer to the institution's many problems.
ACROSS the city, the Celtic Family will be in full celebratory mode this afternoon, as they celebrate another League Championship. Celtic were expected to win the league, they have matched expectations, but, they have to build on this.
I like the way manager Ronnie has started. He has gradually, as the season has progressed, got his players to buy into what he wants, but, totally winning over the fans will be harder.
The Celtic Family now expects to dominate in Scotland, but, their dominance in season 2014-15 has not been total. I am not sorry that Celtic did not win a domestic Treble - I don't think the current squad is special enough for that.
However, anything less than two out of the three trophies next season will be a lack of progress, and, with Hearts and perhaps the RTA back in the Premiership, things might be tougher in the Premiership next season.
However, what the Celtic Family REALLY REALLY wants is to see their club back amongst the European big boys. Getting there might not be a one-season job. At the very least, they will want to see Celtic, in season 2015-16, doing a lot better in Europe.
I like what Deila has done, in buying the likes of the two kids from Dundee United, and the way he has got Leigh Griffiths scoring. A good Celtic team needs a solid backbone of Scottish players. If Deila does this and they progress, brilliant.
And, if they can be assured of a stronger challenge in the league, it will help them in Europe, and, help Scotland too.
We live in interesting times.
No comments:
Post a Comment